HP Hunter - custom?

[CIG]

If you were to build a HP Hunter what would you use?  Action; Trigger; Barrel - chambering, twist, length; Stock; bases; rings; scope.  Anything else needed to trick this out - custom dies?  Any other keys?  

Then who should build it and what would you expect to pay?  

I need some ideas.

[chunter]

Rifle
Nesika Hunter action
Nesika Bay stock
Shilen or Lilja barrel 24-26'
.260 caliber

Scope / Mounts
Premier Reticle boosted VARIII 6.5-20x40mm EFR or VARIII 6.5-20X50mm LR
Burris Signature Zee rings

[shootingpaul]

the anschutz 2 stage trigger is the newest gimmick out there ($285), you could get away with rem action ($400) as chunter stated nesikabay stock ($400) custom barrel $300) and then to put it all together $600-1000,

I heard that there is an exccelent gunsmith in Montana - Ackerman, I get my stuff built locally (less trouble with border rules), also my barrels are made locally and are as good as Shillens, Harts etc. and maybe $50- 75 cheaper, so you can cut a little on cost but 2400 should get you a good hunter

[dave imas]

Get a Sako TRG-S in 6.5 x 55 and save yourself a few thousand dollars.
dave imas

[tirador]

Hello Dave, I have looked high and low for one of those Sako TRG rifles in 6.5X55 like yours for two years and can't find one, I bought one in 270 hoping to convert it into 6.5X55 or now that the rules allow it into a 260, the problem is the magazines that can't be found anywhere either.
I have called every place imaginable including Canada with no success.  I was able to find one magazine for 243 that I can use for the 260 conversion but until I get two magazines of the same size I am not going to rebarrel my 270.  
Do you know anybody that may have magazines for the TRG for 6.5X55 or 243-308?
Thank you for your help.

[Hornetx60]

Tirador, Ed's sport shop found one for me for my Tikka white tail hunter. They may be able to help you.   (570) 668-6144. They are in PA Hours are Mon - Thurs 11 am - 7 pm Most fridays and Saturdays they are open......that is what they have on their Bus. card

[dave imas]

Hi Tony,
I believe there are a couple of folks up here that specialize in Sako firearms.  I'll make a few phone calls and see what turns up.  I actually have the magnum magazines which work out great.  They allow you to seat your bullets out as far as you would like without affecting feeding.
dave

[Leadlauncher]

G'day Dave,
I just bought a new Sako Finnlight in 6.5 x 55 for Hunter class HP. I cant see where, according to the latest Sako info I have that the TRG is even available in 6.5 x 55?? Do you think that the TRG would be that much better than a Finnlight? Appreciate your thoughts.

kind regards
Leadlauncher.

[dave imas]

Hi Lead,

Not really familiar with the Finnlight...  the TRG-S has a pretty wonderful off-hand stock and a smooth as glass, feeds like silk action.  I get about 3" at 500 meters with the factory hammer forged barrel.  weighs in very close to 9lbs with scope, without extra weight.  fine rifle in 6.5 x 55 if you can find it.
dave

[Hornetx60]

dave is the TRG S similar to the tikka white tail hunter?

[dave imas]

Sorry Hornet...
I just don't know enough about the Sako or Tikka lines to comment.  I have, however, held and fired a couple of Tikkas that I wouln't have hesitated to buy if I didn't already have the TRG-S.  For the money, I think the Tikkas are one of the best buys out there for a HP Hunter.  Sako/Tikka have done an excellent job of designing a stock that shoots well off-hand.  Their actions are very smooth when compared to most off the shelf rifles and the seem to be accurate.  One of the best things about the TRG-S is that it has a 5 round magazine and feeds like silk.  
dave

[40x40]

The Tikka White Tail Hunter has been discontinued with a new model now called the Tikka T3 Hunter. The 6.5x55swede magazine is straight so it only holds 3 rounds instead of 5 like the Sako Hunter's magazine. The Tikka is half the price of a Sako though, but you have to buy another magazine which is pretty expensive. Anyways that's the route I went to get into the HP game.

[Hornetx60]

I've seen the T3's even owned one for about a week and got rid of it. I don't like the stocks at all. plus the way the have the recoil lug designed in the T3 isn't the best idea. It can be fixed but their are easier ways to go. I like my whiteTail Hunter. I just saw a Sako 75 7-08 Hunter in a hunter style (Sako Stock). Only problem is it just makes weight so with a 6.5 x55 long action and a big scope it would never make weight. I guess I'll use this one for now and build a better mouse trap later. after I build another heavy gun.   Neisaka action, Jewell trigger or maybe the anschutz, Shillen Barrel, 6.5x 55 chamber and a Aschutz single shot style stock.   That will do...

[sdwooster]

I don't know for sure but have been told that the Trg will not make it through the standard rifle jig. It is too deep with the magazine in. It can only be 2 1/4" deep from centerline of bore to bottom of stock. I would check this out before purchasing or traveling to a match. This is only if you shoot as a standard.

[sureshot]

There's one of those pesky rules getting in the way of the Hunter class equipment race again!  :lol: Obviously the rules will have to changed!

[dave imas]

Wow!  I didn't even think about that Steve, but I can imagine you might be right.  When I get back home I am going to measure mine.  Funny that an out of the box hunter rifle wouldn't be legal in standard...
dave

[tirador]

I measured my Sako TRG and it was 2.41" measured from the center of the bore to the bottom of the magazine.

There is another issue with some Hunting rifles and it has to do with the height of their combs.  Standard rifle’s combs have limits on their measurements but Hunting rifles don't and some people have been pushing theirs so that technically their hunters would not be legal for Standard rifle competition because they would not pass the NRA's jig.  

In the case of the Sako TRG rifle, since the stock comes like that from the factory and only the bottom of the magazine extends beyond the 2 ¼” limit, in my opinion it would be perfectly legal for Standard rifle competition as long as the magazine was not used to support the rifle.  

At the HP Nationals competitors meeting there was talk regarding some these issues and if the Silhouette Committee determines that the issues are a concern to a large number of people they may do something about them.  

I myself don't think that any changes to the rules are needed, since there are so few of those Hunting rifles that are not quite up to par as far as the rules for Standard rifles are concerned that are used for Standard rifle competition.

[sdwooster]

I don't have a problem with the rifle either. If it makes a Hunter and they want to shoot it as a standard so be it. As for the rules who knows, everybody has their own opinion and some ranges have theirs also. I would hate to see someone travels and have is gun fail inspection. The only problem I have is if someone would use the magazine for support. I had a person doing this with AR once but I took care of that. I Guess my main thought is '' I HAVE NEVER BEEN OUT SHOT BY A RIFLE. BUT THE PEOPLE HOLDING IT HAS OUT SHOT ME''.